Hey guys I know you guys get these kind of questions all the time, but hey whats this site for? Long story short, I just bought this 1987 Z28 (350 I believe), It has a crank no start. Me I'm not a master technition here but I know a few things here and there, I added new fuel to the tank, still wont run. After I pore some gas over the carb it starts for about 3 seconds then dies. Then after adding gas and cranking after about 4-5 trys (10 second crank) it just wont even turn. Im thinking thats the battery though. Any suggestions other then a bad fuel pump filter or bad pump? Thats what I was thinking.

 

Forgot to mention, the car has been sitting for 2 years.

 

the first things to look at is fuel, air, spark and exhaust (cuz a clogged exhaust system can kill the motor like that too) Make sure the motor has all of those then check back.

 

When you turn the key on, can you hear the pump in the tank run?

 

Hello, I also just bought an 87 TA thats been sitting for a lot longer than yours,,,seven years!! Mines fuel injected so the pump is in the tank and the fuel left in there had destroyed much of the vibration isolating materials in there. Turned them to goo. I also found my fuel return line plugged solid in the tank.

You said you poured some gas in the carb so I'm guessing yours is normally aspirated, not fuel injected?? And if it started for a few seconds then you must have some spark at least. I'd siphon out all remaining fuel as a start, charge that battery up, get some fresh gas into it and see what you have from there.

TJ Baker

 

Yes, when I turn the key I do hear the pump come on, hopefully sometime this week I can check out the fuel pump and check the filter aswell, I can't think of anything else other than fuel though, thanks for the replys.

 

just because it started kinda doesnt mean there's good enough spark in at least most cyl. it can have poor spark in say 4 cyl so it wants to turn over but wont.

by chance have you tried to see if there's any codes? I know the light will always be on since you cant get the car turned over but jump the pins and check to make sure its only flashing 12. Could also be something simple like a sensor making it not run.

 

Might want to read "dead fuel pump?" post in the general engine forum.

 

I had a fuel pump in the tank of my 79 Vega. It went out and I replaced it. A few months later it went out and I put in an electric fuel pump in the engine compartment. Has anyone else done this. I sold car when I went into service, still had broken fuel pump at tank and electric in engine compartment. Just wondering about if happens on my Firebird.